CVE-2025-39367 Overview
CVE-2025-39367 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] affecting the SeventhQueen Kleo WordPress theme. The flaw exists in all versions of Kleo up to and including 5.4.4. An unauthenticated attacker can access functionality that should be restricted to authorized users, leading to disclosure of limited confidential information. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without user interaction or privileges. Site administrators running the Kleo theme should update to a patched release to eliminate the broken access control condition.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can reach protected theme functionality over the network, resulting in low-impact confidentiality exposure on affected WordPress sites.
Affected Products
- SeventhQueen Kleo WordPress theme, versions up to and including 5.4.4
- WordPress sites deploying the Kleo theme as their active or child theme
- Membership and community sites built on Kleo using BuddyPress integrations
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-28 - CVE-2025-39367 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-39367
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from a Missing Authorization weakness [CWE-862] in the Kleo theme. The theme exposes functionality reachable over HTTP without verifying that the requester holds the required capability or role. Because WordPress themes commonly register AJAX handlers, REST routes, or admin-post endpoints, a missing authorization check on any of these handlers allows unauthenticated requests to reach code paths intended for privileged users.
According to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report, the issue is classified as a broken access control flaw. Only confidentiality is impacted, and the exposure is limited in scope. Integrity and availability are not affected, meaning attackers cannot modify data or disrupt the site through this specific weakness.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of a capability check inside a theme-provided handler. WordPress requires developers to gate privileged actions using functions such as current_user_can() or is_user_logged_in(), and to validate requests with check_ajax_referer() or wp_verify_nonce(). When these controls are missing, any anonymous caller reaching the endpoint executes the underlying logic with no identity or authority validation.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint exposed by the Kleo theme. No credentials, session cookies, or user interaction are required. The response returns data that should have been restricted to authenticated or role-limited users. Because the attack requires only network access to the public site, it is straightforward to automate across many Kleo-based deployments.
No public exploit code has been published, and CISA has not added CVE-2025-39367 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for endpoint-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-39367
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP requests to Kleo-registered admin-ajax.php actions or theme REST routes originating from unfamiliar IP ranges
- Access log entries showing successful 200 OK responses to theme endpoints without an accompanying authentication cookie
- Unexpected outbound scraping patterns targeting theme-specific query parameters used by Kleo handlers
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations to identify sites running Kleo at version 5.4.4 or earlier using the theme header in style.css
- Review web server and WordPress access logs for anonymous requests to theme AJAX or REST endpoints returning user or configuration data
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall rule set that flags unauthenticated access to theme-owned endpoints not intended for public consumption
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable audit logging plugins that record REST and AJAX activity, including caller identity and response codes
- Alert on request bursts against wp-admin/admin-ajax.php where the action parameter matches Kleo-specific handlers
- Correlate WordPress logs with edge telemetry to identify reconnaissance preceding data harvesting attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-39367
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Kleo theme to a version later than 5.4.4 as soon as the vendor releases a fixed build
- Restrict access to WordPress AJAX and REST endpoints at the WAF or reverse proxy layer until the theme is patched
- Audit user accounts and exported data for signs of unauthorized access consistent with the affected endpoints
Patch Information
SeventhQueen addresses the broken access control issue in Kleo releases after 5.4.4. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the fixed version and vendor guidance. Apply the update through the WordPress theme updater or by replacing the theme files with the patched package.
Workarounds
- Block anonymous requests to the specific Kleo AJAX actions identified in the Patchstack advisory using WAF or .htaccess rules
- Deactivate the Kleo theme and switch to a secure alternative on high-risk sites until a fix is applied
- Enforce authentication in front of the WordPress site with an edge access control layer for staging or low-traffic environments
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
